Changes in Veterans Administration benefits

Congress recently reached an agreement on HR 3219, which addresses Veterans Administration benefits on a variety of levels. In a relatively sweeping fashion, the legislation will modify AZ veterans’ benefits, and could improve everything from job security to insurance for veterans. It is comforting to see that congress has kept veterans interests in mind as it pursues its legislative agenda.

As an omnibus bill, HR 3219 touches on a range of issues that will impact AZ veterans’ benefits. A recent article in the Tucson Citizen does a good job of explaining the new bill, and can be read in full here. To summarize, though, the following highlights just some of what HR 3219 will do for AZ veterans:

It increases Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance from $90,000 to $200,000.

It increases supplemental life insurance from $20,000 to $30,000.

It expands work-study programs to help with veteran unemployment.

It increases veterans’ burial benefits for certain veterans.

It relieves veterans of certain lease obligations if their service requires them to relocate.

It expands homeless veterans grants.

These changes should provide the additional assistance that many AZ veterans require. In addition to the expanded benefits, Veterans Administration benefits continue to include those benefits that have long been providing Arizona veterans with assistance, such as Pension and Aid & Attendance benefits. Arizona veterans hoping to learn more about these benefits may want to discuss their situation with a veterans benefit lawyer.